Across the Barricades/Joan Lingard A play in 10 scenes by 4a, 2017/18 Contents 1. 2. 3. Situation in Belfast told with the help of a YOUTUBE video Prologue from Romeo and Juliet. Kevin and Sadie meet for the first time, Linda sees them 4. 5. Kevin comes home, reaction of his family Sadie comes home , reaction of her family Kevin and Sadie meet at the beach in Bangor and talk about the past, their religion and fall even more in love 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Action scene: Kevin gets beaten up Kevin (limping) and Sadie meet Mr. Blake and tell him how people want to keep them apart. Mr Blake offers help. Sadie (desperate, sobbing) tells Kevin about the killing of Mr Blake, he decides to leave and tells Sadie Last scene at the docks: Sadie comes to join Kevin on the ship. Scene 1: Situation in Belfast- Fiona Text from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kR11vn41XU It all began when Northern Ireland gained its independence from Britain. As the majority of Northern Ireland were Protestants they remained under Britain. Over the years after their independence the Protestants secured the best living standards. This caused provocation among the Catholics. In the 1960s the Troubles began. Catholic marches were met with violence from militant Protestants. 1972- 14 Catholics were killed by soldiers from the British army during a peaceful demonstration march. The fights escalated and bombs, violence and killings became the everyday life of Northern Irish citizens. Years later- there was still no winner of the conflict. They worked for a reconciliation and in 1998 a peace agreement was signed. In 2005 the IRA handed in their weapons. The Protestant Loyalists did not. Today Northern Ireland is relatively peaceful. There is still a clear division between the two religious groups. It is often showed by wall paintings. Some places are separated by a peace wall, for safety. Scene 2: Felix, Clemens Prologue from Romeo&Juliet adapted for Across the Barricades Two parties, both alike in dignity, In fair Belfast, where we lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes A pair of star-cross'd lovers start their life; Whose misadventur'd piteous overthrows Doth not succeed to bury their parents' strife. The fearful passage of their painful love. And the continuance of their parents’ rage, even their children's love nought could remove, Is now the coming traffic of our stage; The which if you with patient ears attend, What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend. To see what a prologue is, check the internet and listen to an example here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3PlhGRtWTs Scene 3: Theresa, Stefan, Christina J. Kevin and Sadie meet for the first time, Linda sees them S: Hey Kevin. Is it you? K: Omg, Sadie Jackson. Haven't seen you in years! What are you doing here in Belfast? S: Well obviously I still live here. But, for how long haven t we seen each other? K: I don't know. Maybe 3 or 4 years. S: Hmm, seems so. K: And what have you been up to in that time? S: Nothing much. I've just finished school and started working at a hat store. You? K: Oh you know just some boring stuff. I've started working at a scrapyard. At Mr Kelly's. You know him, right? S: Yea, I do....I see. What about your sister Brede? Does she still help your mother as much as in the past? K: Yes, she is very reliable and helps my mum in the household and with my siblings. S: Ah that's amazing I wish.... L: Oh hey Sadie! S: Hey Linda... L: What are you doing out here? S: Well you know just hanging out. L: And who is he? Wait, I think I've seen you before. S: Everybody has seen him before Linda. He's a well-known man in town. L: Oh you...! Ah! I know who you are, you're Kevin right?! And you're a ...(Catholic) S: Yes, he is Kevin, and yea you're right with saying he's a Catholic. Please just don't worry about it. L: Okay (strange looking)... well I have to go see my friends now, my Protestant friends,...Sadie I think you should come with me! S: I don't think so. I'm good with staying here. You don't have to be concerned about me. But thanks anyways L: Alright ...well see you then. Scene 4: Christina H., Leonie, David, Elias, Oskar Kevin comes home, reaction of his family Characters: Kevin, Mr McCoy, Mrs McCoy, Brede, Brother Setting: 1st part: Kitchen, 2nd part corridor Part 1: (MSC, MMC, B, Br sitting in the kitchen) MSC: Kevin isn't home yet. I'm so worried about him. MMC: Do you know where he is? Br: Why do you think I know that? Never mind he will be ok. MMC: Don't be so rude! B: How can you be so careless? He has never been late for dinner yet. Br: He's not a little child anymore. That's normal. You're such a coward. MMC: Stop arguing! MSC: Go to bed now! BaBr: (mumbling, irritated): Why? MSCaMMC (shouting): Go!!! (B and Br go out of the room) MSC: I hope nothing bad happened to him. MMC: Come on darling. I'm sure he will be home soon. Part 2 (Half an hour after that): (Kevin comes in slowly and without any noises, BaBr notice him and go into the corridor) B: Kevin!!! Br: Shhhht! Don't talk so loudly or do you want that mum and dad hear us? B: Kevin, where have you been? K: I don't know if I could tell you that. Br: You can trust us, we won't tell. K: You know, I was out with that Protestant girl, Sadie Jackson. Br: How could you? Traitor (loud)\ (meanwhile in the kitchen) MMC: Have you heard that? MSC: What could that be? MMC: Is that Kevin? MSC: Let's take a look. (both go into the corridor) MMC: What in god's name are you doing here? MSC: Kevin! You're back! MMC: What were you doing? K(trying to lie): I have missed ...am... the last bus so I ...am... had to walk home on my own. Br: This traitor here has met with a Protestant girl. He's such an idiot. MMC: You did what? MSC (disappointed): Is that really true Kevin? K: Yes mum, I did. W\W\C(angry): That will have serious consequences. Go to bed now! Scene 5: Lara, Hannah, Maria B, Rebekka Sadie comes home, reaction of her family Scene 6: Sophie, Michi Kevin and Sadie meet at the beach in Bangor and talk about the past, their religion and fall even more in love Scene 7: fight- Rudi, Pepi, Kathi, Sara, Emma, Niko?, Sebastian? That’s what you get for dating a Protestant girl! TRAITOR! Scene 8: Marielie, Jasmin +? Kevin (limping) and Sadie meet Mrs. Blake and tell him how people want to keep them apart. Mrs. Blake offers help. Scene 9: Sara, Moritz Sadie (desperate, sobbing) tells Kevin about the killing of Mr Blake, he decides to leave and tells Sadie Scene 10: Maria, Jana Last scene at the docks: Sadie comes to join Kevin on the ship
